8 days on the Portuguese Camino Coastal Route (Guided)
Day 1: Arrival to Baiona
Take some time to refresh, briefing about the next few days walks, receive your Camino kit and have some dinner.
Accommodation: 3 stars hotel
Day 2: Walk from Baiona to Vigo (25.5km / 15.8 miles)
As you pass through the outskirts of Baiona, you’ll encounter a few historical monuments and have views of the coast before you head inland through the countryside. Walk through villages and forest and then a stretch of busy road in Coruche before re-entering rural territory on the approach to Vigo. Cut through Castrelos Park to avoid the urban jungle and reach your hotel.
Accommodation: 3*** hotel, Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Walk from Vigo to Arcade (22km / 13.5 miles)
Walk along Vigo’s bustling shopping street and out of the city. You’ll follow the same road, at times tarmac, at others unpaved, through a row of peaceful villages spread across the hills with views of the Ria de Vigo. The next few kilometres are spent in a leafy forest before heading downhill to Redondela, famous for its two viaducts. The final stretch takes you out of Redondela and up through another forest before you reach Arcade, where you can sample their famous oysters.
Accommodation: 2** hotel, Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Walk from Arcade to Pontevedra (13km / 8 miles)
Today’s walk is short and one of the most attractive on the Camino. Cross the ancient Ponte Sampaio to leave Arcade and follow a well-worn stone path past small fields and uphill into a forest. Use our scenic detour to approach Pontevedra via a riverside path in the shade of trees rather than the main road. Once settled, take your pick from an array of atmospheric squares to relax in.
Accommodation: 3 stars hotel, Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Walk from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis (22km / 13.6 miles)
Get a glimpse of Pontevedra’s Roman heritage as you leave the city to follow the railway line north through the valley and patches of forest. After the village of San Amaro, continue through the countryside, decorated with tall grape vines, to the tiny village of Tivo. From here, it’s a mere two kilometres before you get to enjoy the warm thermal springs in Caldas de Reis.
Accommodation: 2** hotel. Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Walk from Caldas de Reis to Padron (19km / 11.5 miles)
Shortly after leaving the medieval spa town behind, you’ll walk through the pretty Bermaña valley to reach Santa Mariña church. Once you reach Cortiñas, its downhill almost all the way, through the Valga woods and over the Ulla River to the intriguing town of Padrón where you’ll find many references to the legend of St. James.
Accommodation: 4**** hotel, Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Walk from Padron to Santiago (25km / 15.5 miles)
There are inevitably several periods of road walking today but these are interspersed with stretches of peaceful woodland. Of note is the Romanesque church of Santa Mária de Iria and the Marian shrine at A Escravitude. Ancient oak trees and a remarkable stone cross add to the charm of Parada de Francos. Follow Rua Franco all the way to Praza do Obradoiro to reach the awe-inspiring cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Accommodation: 3 stars hotel, Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Departure and transfer to the airport
Transfer back to the Airport after breakfast.